Job Discussion Forums

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Forgive me for bringing up these old saws but here goes---What shots---Malaria__---do you need for China??? Would go to a clinic but Im worried about a doctor giving unnecessary ones for the cash...Also would a return ticket from a 3rd country be OK or do you need proof of passage to your own country??? Thanks All...

SongGirl · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 13

Hi Gerard...which part of China are you going to? As far as I can remember, the Yangtze (and slightly above) marks the Malaria "limit" to the North, so going to Hubei province, my doctor provided me with stand by medication just in case...I don't think Malaria shots are given that fast anymore because the side-effects can be extremely unpleasant and dangerous in themselves. Aside from that, I had to have all my childhood shots updated (tetanus, diphteria, polio) and in addition had a typhoid inoculation. I already had Hep A and B done years before but that is a long-term deal so nothing you can do if you are coming to China soon.
Some recommend a rabies too if you think you will be in close contact with a lot of animals or roaming around rural areas.
Yellow fever is obligatory when entering China from an infected area.
I am sure you can find some resources on vaccine recommendations (as well as Malaria maps) by country on the net...I only know German sites but am convinced that English ones exist.

Sounds like a lot of shots, but I am pretty glad I had them done. You do pick up things very easily here.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have not had any shots in ten years, and I have spent quite a few years in southern CHina. In my personal opinion, it is advisable to be prepared for the cold season. If you can get a shot, get it! The flu is quite tenuous here, and in some instances it kills.
There has been an outbreak of dengue fever in Guangdong, which is temporarily under control due to the season being cold.
Malaria is NOT an issue just yet.
Hepatitis is common among Chinese. Avoid seafood!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

...flu is 'tenuous...' hahaha! What a slipup! I meant "tenaceous", it is PERSISTENT, it clings to you for months once you have caught it!

I don't know if you need a two-way ticket - most that I know come on a one-way ticket! And nobody gets asked to produce evidence they can support themselves...

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Thanks for the help--I guess not too too much to worry about on either front... If it is relevant I am going to either Shenyang or Harbin which are NORTH..Harbin is practically in Siberia---(wont have to worry about humid summers.) ... /

Seth · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 575 Location: in exile

I'd give Harbin a pass just on issue of how cold it gets. Chinese winters are absolutely brutal, especially when most places aren't heated well. Even Canadians complain. Here in Luoyang (which is around the same latitude as Shenyang I think) there are few mosquitos as it's generally dry.
When I lived in Haiti I was given malaria pills, not shots, which you take for a week or so. I don't think you'll need them, though.

SongGirl · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 13

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

A good question, Song GIrl!
I posted a "Travel advisory" a couple of days ago, but the moderator seemed to dislike it, so it disappeared again! It was, however, an account based on facts!
Alright, here we go once more:
- A serious pneumonia epidemic is currently raging in Guangdong. At first, it was called a "mystery disease". People began coughing, developing fever and so on, and a few died. More than 300 were hospitalised.
It is on the wane now, but... Epidemics come and go. No wonder, considering the congestions in public places!
Anyway, I got wind of it not so much because my neighbours were fast disappearing into hospitals but because they were buying up SALT and VINEGAR with which to COMBAT the DISEASE! There was a panic here just like in war, and prices suddenly rocketed through the roof!

Paul G · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 125 Location: China & USA

Hi Roger:

Your "Travel Advisory" is still on the board. It's just a lttle further on down the list.

Paul

SongGirl · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 13

Hi Roger...yes, I just checked a few websites on it, it is referred to everywhere as an "atypical pneumonia" or more harmless, a "respiratory problem". Wow that must be a pretty scary situation when you are in the midst of it, although yeah, you are right, it's not surprising. So stay healthy, ok?